Preliminary Results of In-Field Monitoring of a Feed Additive for Rumen Functionality on 7 Italian Commercial Dairy Farms

Field monitoring was conducted on 7 Italian dairy farms (total 1,357 animals) using a before–after design (1 year before vs. 1 year after) evaluating the use of SOP STAR COW: +4.14% milk production and −13.52% somatic cell count (SCC) during the period of use, as reported in the contribution.

In summary: a field study on 7 Italian dairy farms comparing 1 year before vs. 1 year after the introduction of the product, with no reported management changes during the study period. During the period of use, the contribution reports +4.14% milk production (P < 0.01) and −13.52% somatic cell count, SCC (P < 0.05).

Somatic cell count (SCC) is a key operational indicator of the hygienic-sanitary quality of milk and of the management of microbial pressure/subclinical inflammation. At the same time, milk production remains a primary indicator of farm performance. Within this context, the contribution presented at the ESVCN Congress — a conference where submissions are reviewed and selected by a scientific committee — describes field monitoring of the use of an additive intended to support rumen functionality under real farming conditions.

The monitoring involved 7 Italian commercial dairy farms, for a total of 1,357 animals, with herd sizes ranging from 75 to 330 cows. The design adopted was before–after, comparing 1 year prior and 1 year during the use of SOP STAR COW. The farms were located in the same area, with comparable diets (silages and local forages plus commercial concentrates) and similar management and milking routines; the contribution reports that no management changes were introduced during the study period.

The researchers, coordinated by Prof. Bronzo (University of Milan), evaluated in particular milk production and SCC. During the product use period, the contribution reports:

• +4.14% milk production (P < 0.01)

• −13.52% somatic cell count, SCC (P < 0.05)

Overall, the reported results indicate a favourable trend in the main monitored indicators during the product use period, in a multi-farm context and under real operational conditions.